CALLOW

By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA-
MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) has established a state-of-the-art Mopani Central Training Centre (MCTC) in Mufulira at a cost of US$15 million for the training of artisans.
The centre has been constructed with the aim to help resolve the current critical shortage of technical skills across the country’s mining industry.
MCM chief executive officer Danny Callow said the training centre, which was equipped with some of the world’s best engineering equipment, had so far enrolled over 140 students in the first intake and was scheduled to enroll a total of 200 apprentices by the end of 2014.
Mr Callow said the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA)-accredited centre, had lined up courses under mechanical engineering that include, fitting and machining, plating and welding, heavy mining equipment diesel mechanics and rigger rope man among others.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by MCM public relations manager, Cephas Sinyangwe.
The chief executive officer said training would be accessible to Zambian school leavers and other local candidates seeking qualifications leading to a career within the mining industry.
“Mopani will spend a minimum of approximately $20,000 annually on each apprentice in standard training and other related costs.
“Other than offering the training for free, Mopani also provides the students with upkeep allowances, meals, accommodation, and recreation facilities,” he said.
Mr Callow said the continued growth of the copper mining industry in Zambia, the critical shortage of key technical skills and unavailability of suitably qualified and experienced local artisans, necessitated the establishment of the training centre.
He said over 30 years ago, Zambia had well-established and funded training institutes that produced highly-qualified artisans and technicians for the mining industry.
Mr Callow, however, said the slump in copper prices and production in the 1980s led to reduced investment in mining and training infrastructure.
“Zambia stopped training artisans as most undergraduates opted to pursue engineering courses at university level.
“This resulted in the current skills shortage facing the industry today. The few remaining artisans cannot satisfy the growing industry demand and this has led to the increased cost of hiring artisans,” Mr Callow said.
He said it was for this reason that MCM was compelled to intervene in order to address the shortage.
Mr Callow said the objective of the project was to establish, implement and maintain a highly competitive technical centre with courses and training in line with global best practice.
“This commitment is in line with preparations for the next 25 years of life of the mine by investing in new state-of-the-art shafts,” he said.
Mr Callow said MCM also planned to construct a $5 million Mining Training Centre under the umbrella of MCTC to train mining supervisors, mine captains and riggers among others.